Program Manager

Ascent Aerospace•Palmdale, CA

About The Position

The program manager plays a critical leadership role in overseeing the execution, coordination, and lifecycle support of service projects supporting tooling and automated equipment in an aircraft assembly facility. The program manager will act as the focal for communication to key customer, providing regular status updates with leadership. The position requires a highly proactive, hands-on individual who engages deeply in program details while communicating effectively to customer project teams and leadership. The role operates at both strategic and tactical levels, coordinating cross-functional teams and enforcing accountability while establishing and maintaining strong, professional customer relationships.

Requirements

BS and/or Master’s degree in Engineering and/or 10 years of related experience.
10+ years of experience in manufacturing, preferably in tooling, automation, aerospace, or industrial equipment
Experience leading and developing engineering and project execution teams
Strong project management experience with a proven track record of cross-functional leadership
Understanding of complex build-to-print manufacturing environments, including machining and assembly
Proficient in ERP/MRP systems, project dashboards, and reporting tools
Proficient with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and working knowledge of MS Project.
Proficient with CATIA V5, NX and/or AutoCAD Inventor.
Has a clear understanding of quality management system with the ability to drive quality into every aspect of the engineering operations. Whether it is verbal communication with co-workers and customers, product realization or the final delivered product to the customer.
Driven to succeed with strong sense of developing and maintaining customer relations.
Ability to communicate technical information to nontechnical audiences both orally and in written form.
Demonstrated ability to anticipate customer concerns, manage expectations, and deliver solutions that strengthen long‑term partnerships.
Open to taking on new assignments and adapting quickly to shifting customer priorities and program requirements.
Must be familiar with Export Control compliance requirements, be a U.S. Citizen, and be eligible to obtain a Secret clearance. An active Secret clearance is a plus.
Employment is contingent upon successfully passing an employee reference check, criminal background check, and drug screening.
This position requires use of information that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder').

Responsibilities

Serve as the on-site technical and project management lead at key customer locations during critical project phases
Support issue resolution, schedule updates, and scope clarifications in direct partnership with customer stakeholders
Track key milestones and deliverables across active projects, ensuring execution and resolving delays through cross-functional coordination.
Work with design supervisors to guidance engineering teams based on input received from customers and ensure design meets SOW requirements
Build strong relationships with customer engineering, operations, and programming teams to drive collaboration
Analyze engineering drawings to identify and recommend the optimal assembly approach.
Communicate conceptual solutions to both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clarity and understanding.
Lead weekly cross-departmental project reviews to align stakeholders and identify risks.
Implement and sustain process improvements based on lessons learned and operational feedback.
Proactively identify customer needs and ensure project decisions support customer priorities, long‑term satisfaction, and program success.
Open to taking on new assignments and adapting quickly to shifting customer priorities and program requirements.
Support business development and estimating teams to follow-up on open proposals and outstanding quotes with the customer.
Work with the customer and proposal team to develop integrated system concepts during the quoting phase.
Lead technical development and presentation of large scale integrated proposals
Ensure proposal content clearly reflects customer requirements, value drivers, and expected outcomes.
Provide guidance and support on aftermarket services for key customers including modifications, repairs, spare parts, and technical support.
Maintain a customer feedback loop to help drive product and service improvements.
Act as a customer advocate by ensuring timely responses, clear communication, and high‑quality support throughout the product lifecycle.